Animal trap



L. A. ARNSPARGER ANIMAL TRAP Filed April 2, 1945 Jan. 2i, W47.

INVENTOR,

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Patented Jan. 21, 1947 UNIT ED STATE S OFF 1 (I E ANIMAL TRAP Lloyd A. Arnsparger, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 2, 1945, Serial No. 586,105

3 Claims.

This invention relates to trap devices, and more especially to animal traps.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and efficient trap of the character described.

Another object of the invention is to provide an animal trap which secures the animal against escape by engaging the animal around the head, neck or body portions, rather than by a limb, whereby escape of the animal by gnawing or chewing off the limb is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel animal trap adapted to engage the body of the animal in a manner which prevents damage to the fur or tearing of the skin of the animal.

A further object of th invention is to provide an animal trap having multiple trap features, whereby an animal may be trapped by approaching the trap from opposite directions.

Another object is to provide in a trap of the character described novel features of safety when setting the trap jaws or clamp elements.

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an animal trap embodying my invention shown in set position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the same shown in operated position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I show a trap having an elongated base plate member ID of any suitable material, such as iron or sheet steel, on which a pair of posts II are suitably secured and extend upwardly in spaced relation as shown. A pair of jaw or clamp members I2 are pivotally secured as at I3 to each post II, the axis of pivots I3 being longitudinally related to the length of base I0. Jaw members I2 have semi-circular clamping portions I4, the inner edges or surfaces [5 thereof being corrugated by which a firm grip on the body of the animal may be obtained without resulting in a tearing of the skin or damage to the fur of the animal.

A spring I6, which is shown as being a U- shaped strap element is suitably secured as by weldin or a rivet IBa at one end to base Ill and is formed with an aperture I! at the opposite end through which extends post II and the lower end portions of jaw members I2 when in the operated position; as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. A second spring I6 is similarly secured for engagement with the jaw members of the other post II. A trigger member I8 is pivoted to base ID as at I9 and is formed with a latch 20 which engages one of the jaw members I2 when the jaw has been SWllllg outwardly for setting the trap, the free end of spring I6 being put under tension by pressing downwardly around post II which permits jaws I2 to be swung outwardly and latch 26 engaged therewith, as shown in Fig. 1. Trigger I3 is provided with a contact plate 2| secured to the laterally extending portion of trigger l8 and positioned between posts II and the pairs of jaw members I2 thereon.

A trigger member 22 is pivoted as at 23 to plate I H and is formed with a latch 24 for engaging one of the jaw members I2 of the other post II. A link 25 is pivotally secured as at 25 to trigger I8 and pivoted at 21 to trigger 22 by which construction it will be apparent that upon the actuation of trigger 18 by weight on plate 2I link 25 will cause actuation of trigger 22, thus releasing the jaw members of both sets of jaws,

thereby insuring the engaging of the animal around the head, neck or body or a double combination thereof when the trap is sprung. Upon the release of the triggers I8 and 22, as stated, the pairs of jaw members I2 will be forced by the upward pressure of springs I6 thereon to the animal engaging position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In order to permit the trap to be set with safety to the person setting it I show an auxiliary latch member 29 provided with a latching shoulder 30, the latch 29 being suitably pivoted to base I0 and adapted to be moved to a position to secure one of the jaw members I2 in the position shown in Fig. 1, while the jaws of the other post are being opened and the other spring compressed to permit triggers I8 and 22 to be simultaneously engaged with the respective jaw members. shown in Figure 2.

It will be understood that changes and modifications in the construction shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the sub-joined claims, for instance, a coiled spring positioned around posts i I and engaging jaw members I2 would be efiective to operate the trap jaws.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An animal trap as described comprising a base member, a pair of posts on said base, a pair of jaw members pivoted on each said post, a spring engaging each pair of jaw members for Latch 29 is then retracted to the position 3 movement to closing position, and a trigger mechanism engaging a jaw member of each pair to hold said jaw members in open position.

:2. An animal trap as described comprising a base member, a, pair of posts on said base, a pair of jaw members pivoted on each said post, a spring engaging each pair of jaw members for movement to closing position, and a trigger mechanism engaging a jaw member of each pair to hold said jaw members in open position, said trigger being disposed between said pairs of jaw members.

3. An animal trap as described comprising 2.

LLOYD A. ARNSPARGER. 

